Table 1.
Potential mechanisms cytotoxic radiotherapy and chemotherapy can enhance immune system activity
| Mechanism | Radiotherapy | Chemotherapy | Reference(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Immunogenic cell death | √ | √ | 7,14 |
| Chemokine induction (CXCL9/10/11) | √ | √ | 24,35,40 |
| Proinflammatory cytokine production | √ | √ | 15,33 |
| Increase MHC class I molecule expression | √ | 17 | |
| Increase co-stimulatory molecule expression | √ | 18,19 | |
| Decrease Tregs | √ | 22,23,28 | |
| Increased CD8 + effector cells (homeostatic proliferation) | √ | 32,40 | |
| Decrease inhibitory immune checkpoint molecules | √ | 36 | |
| Decrease myeloid suppressor cells | √ | 37–39 | |
| Recruit/activate dendritic cells | √ | 25,27 |